Ahead of the away trip to Bridgwater on Saturday, U18s boss Ryan Dickson assessed his side’s progress following his first pre-season at the helm.
Having replaced former Under-18s boss Chris Todd, Dickson is another familiar and popular appointment, having spent two playing stints at Plainmoor – including one under Gary Johnson.
Now, the former Gulls midfielder, who also enjoyed spells at Plymouth Argyle and Southampton, is looking to pass on his experience to the next generation of United stars.
“It’s been a long pre-season, getting the squad together, games getting cancelled and arranged last-minute, so it’ll be nice to get into a routine and a structure of regular fixtures. I think Bridgwater are one of the better sides in the league, so it’ll be a good test, especially for the first-years to get used to that standard, and also for me to see the standard of the competition also. It’s an important game to judge where we are, and where we’ll be moving forward.
“People find their feet, and there’s a mixture of those that are used to it, and the new ones coming in. you do find that, especially with the new ones coming in, it’s a big culture change, and the standard in what they’re used to, coming from JPL, so the first few months will be a transitional period to get used to faster, intense football.
“I’m happy where we are, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m excited to see where we can progress from there, watching the lads grow, and hopefully develop over the year. The Gaffer and Downesy have been great, they like to keep an eye on who is coming through, they have an interest in that and know the players personally. They know their names, and do have them regularly in training, which is huge benefit and you don’t get that a lot of time at other clubs. There’s that pathway for the players, but also to have that personal connection, knowing that the manager is not that far away from them, means he’s not a stand-away figure.”
Regarding his hopes for the season ahead, Ryan isn’t one for saying that results don’t matter at youth-team level – in fact, it’s all part of the process.
“I’d like to try and get a couple that we can be excited about, and can be sustainable for Torquay’s first-team. I know it isn’t all about results, but winning and developing become hand-in-hand. You have to develop that winning nature, that winning mentality in players – it is a huge part of the game. It’s the hardest part of the game, and we need to get them to understand that they are at an age now where winning is important, they have to win to be successful, because ultimately no-one is going to sign a kid that is in a losing team, so although it is about finding that development, winning and growing that mentality is a big thing.”
The last time the two sides met was in the final of the League Cup, the young Gulls emerged from Somerset victorious, as United came from behind to clinch a 2-1 victory.
More of the same tomorrow please, lads!